²⁶ because he was longing for all of you and was distressed because you had heard that he was sick. ²⁷ For indeed he was sick, coming near to death, but God had mercy on him and not on him only, but also on me, so that I would not have grief upon grief. ²⁸ Therefore I am sending him with special urgency, in order that when^[a] you see him again you may rejoice, and I may be less anxious.